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ALLIES, APOLOGIES, AND A**HOLES!
Speaking of words that start with "A" this week saw a lot of angst on the site, including a couple of things I want to address. And sticking with the "A" theme, the first one is my interview with As the World Turns' co-head writer Jean Passanante. I published my interview with Passanante on Tuesday and to say the reaction was vitriolic is like saying, Shannon from Survivor: Nicaragua is a moron. 

I get why people are upset over how ATWT ended and the fact that Luke Snyder was the only character left without a happy ending. And I agree that Passanante failed as a writer by not knowing about the "dead gay character cliche" that's been in existence pretty much ever since the Hollywood sign went up over L.A. 

But I also think that ultimately Passanante is our ally and did a lot of good for GLBT visibility. I also think that she isn't the real problem here — that would be the powers that be who put limits on what the writers were allowed to show.

And what other soap had this many gay couples?

And I think by attacking her and, yes, even the show (because at least they allowed gay characters) so furiously, hurling charges of homophobia left and right, we ultimately do ourselves more harm than good. After all, As the World Turns is the soap that gave us Luke Snyder, arguably the first well-done gay male soap character ever on U.S. television. And it seems clear much of that happening was driven by Passanante who does seem to genuinely care about this topic. And while it took the show far too long to get around to giving Luke a relationship, and even then they mishandled it, ATWT did give the world the first gay supercouple in Nuke. 

And while I know that Dr. Reid Oliver is another in a long list of dead queer characters, if other soap operas (besides One Life to Live) had done their fair share and given us good gay characters over the years, then I think Reid's death and his too short relationship with Luke could have been seen as the moving tragedy it was, rather than something dripping with homophobia.

I know some folks will accuse me of settling for crumbs by not calling for Passanante's head. I'd argue that it's important to take a look at the bigger picture and to offer constructive criticism (I'd say I educated Passanante quite a bit about dead gay characters and we certainly criticized the show puh-lenty over the years) and to keep in mind what our ultimate goal is: more gay characters. 

And I think we get that by acknowledging when progress has been made, acknowledging those responsible for that progress and not scaring off others from adding a gay character lest they make a mistake and bring down our wrath upon them. 

And lines are now open to take reservations to begin crucifying me!

Moving on to the next "A" word, we have the word "apology" of which we've heard quite a few lately after someone makes some stupid homophobic comment. Dan Hampton of Pro Football Weekly mostly got his apology right, while the schmucks from E! Daily 10 have pretty much mastered the art of how to make the situation even worse (see the Asshat voting). 

Seeing that there is some educating needed, we decided to put together this handy "Homophobia Apology Tree" to help guide those unfortunates out there who can't seem to avoid making stupid statements, and who then can't figure out to sincerely say "I'm sorry."

Next page! A shocking upset in the voting for Best Daytime Couple!